"More Sajiths & Gammanpilas If We Don't Reform Education. The People Can Decide" - Nalinda Jayatissa

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health and Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, has defended the government’s decision to temporarily halt the Grade 6 education reforms, citing public confusion and political controversy as the main reasons behind the move.

Speaking to reporters, Jayatissa argued that education reforms are vital for shaping citizens who can thrive in the 21st century. He warned that failing to modernize the system would risk producing generations ill‑equipped for global competition. 

“If reforms are not carried out, the country will only see more leaders like Sajith Premadasa and Udaya Gammanpila. But if reforms are implemented properly, we will create proud Sri Lankan citizens who can succeed in the modern world,” he said.

The minister explained that education is a highly sensitive issue compared to infrastructure projects such as highways or bridges, which can be implemented even without unanimous public support. In contrast, he said, schooling affects every family directly and cannot be advanced without broad trust.

Jayatissa claimed that political groups, including opposition figures, had stirred doubts among parents about whether the reforms truly benefited children. “Some parents began to lose confidence, and that uncertainty spread to society. If even a small group of parents felt mistrust, we had to pause the reforms to prevent further confusion,” he noted.

He added that the suspension was intended to give space for debate and for critics to point out specific flaws. However, he accused some opponents of exploiting the issue for political gain rather than engaging with the actual content of the reforms. “Those who haven’t even read a single module are calling it flawed. That is nothing more than political theatre,” Jayatissa said.

The minister alleged that opposition leaders had deliberately created unrest to derail the reforms, framing it as part of a wider political strategy.